Recall

Recalling an elected official

A Recall is a procedure that allows citizens to remove a public official before the end of their term of office. The recall process begins with a petition process, and if successful, prompts an election to be scheduled. Any Councilmember may be recalled after serving six months in office.

​​A recall petition is signed by the registered electors of the district from which the incumbent sought to be recalled was elected.

​​The signers shall number at least 25 percent of the entire vote cast for all candidates for the office which the incumbent sought to be recalled occupies at the last preceding election.

​​The "last preceding election" shall be the election at which the person sought to be recalled was elected to office, unless the person sought to be recalled was appointed to fill a vacancy, or was appointed due to a cancellation of the last preceding election in the district. In that event, it shall be the last preceding election at which the person who created the vacancy was elected to office, or the last election at which the incumbent was elected.

Resulting election

After one recall petition and election, no further petition shall be filed against the same person during the term for which such person was elected or appointed, unless the signers number at least 50 percent of the votes cast at the last preceding election for all candidates for the office held by such person. The number to be determined in the manner described above.

More specific information regarding the form of the petition (required elements etc.) and the timelines associated with a recall can be found in the Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 31-4-501 through 507.